“Love your study nook! This is perfect for you!” She nods at the dining area, and I smile.
“Apollo actually set that up for me.”
Dad’s eyes check me over with a hint of surprise behind them. He gives a solid nod.
Mom smiles warmly. “What a thoughtful husband. Your dad once burned my textbooks.”
Dad coughs. “That was anaccident, Sins.”
She tilts her head and smirks at him like she plans to keep this over his head for years while his face grows red.
Dad checks out the cabinets by swinging them several times, then the oven and microwave. He disappears to the back. “Where’s the electric panel? I don’t like how they did the plumbing under the bathroom sink, but whatever. They have maintenance here?”
Mom rolls her eyes. “You ended up with a rocket scientistfor a father, I’m sorry. Your houses will never be safe from his prying.”
Dad leaves a full toolbox for us, then shows me where the circuit breakers are and what to do with them if there’s an emergency.
By the time they leave, saying they don’t want tointrudewithout Apollo here, I’m ready for a study round and a snack.
Digging through the pantry, then the cabinets, I get giddy going through all the food Apollo bought. Chips. Crackers. Cookies… But the bulk of it looks like it needs a stove and actual skill.
I open the freezer to check the rest?—
And stop.
Air locks in my chest.
My throat pulls tight.
I blink once. Again. Like I can erase it if I try hard enough.
A single pink lollipop sits on the middle shelf.
twenty-six
I spring into action,checking the front door. But it’s locked. So are the windows. And the balcony door.
My first thought is that Apollo somehow found a lollipop among my things that I didn’t realize I had.
But why stick it in the freezer?
It feels like I can’t swallow. I can’t swallow!
How has such a little thing shattered my sense of safety?
Leaning over the bathroom sink, I heave deep breaths. With shaky fingers, I lift a glass to my lips and sip some water.
Grabbing my phone, I text Apollo. Maybe it’s just a mix-up and I’m flipping out for no reason.
Me
Did you find a pink sucker and put it in the freezer?
But even after showering and getting dressed. Even after drying my hair, he still hasn’t answered.
With a deep breath, I slide to my new study table and set to work. But there’s no way I can focus. My eyes keep stealing glances at the freezer. Like the stupid lollipop might sprout legs, grab a knife, and slit my throat.
I finally shove back and stroll toward it as if it contains a severed body part. Snatching it by the stick, I chuck it into the trash can.
